April 15th, 2011, 9:51 am

Here are some random points on game 1, thoughtfully posted in bullet form. So convenient, because then I don’t have to weave them into a coherent storyline.

The Kings controlled well over half of the game, I thought the Sharks were a bit lucky to make it to overtime.

I don’t believe in clutch players as a rule, but Joe Pavelski is making a damn compelling case otherwise.

The Stoll hit on White was unfortunate and borderline dirty. My gut feeling is this gets 2 games in the regular season, but none in the playoffs. Cue Mike being wrong in 3…2…1…

Thank God for Justin Braun.

It’s a bit of a strange feeling, but I’m hoping Huskins gets healthy, because with Braun in, our #7 is Mike Moore.

Demers should have gotten 2 for charging on that hit. For a second there I thought he was auditioning for Cirque de Soleil.

Anybody else have visions of Craig Anderson when Quick came up huge in the 3rd?

Doug’s wife sang the national anthem, and was great. I wanted to tweet that before the game, but cell phone reception at the Tank sucks, and I didn’t get permission in time.

I highly recommend the Chicago-style hot dogs sold near section 119.

I have a semifinal game of my own tomorrow night, but I have tickets to game 2. I’d appreciate advice on this moral quandary. I told myself I’d play if the Sharks won game 1, but that game was so good I don’t want to miss a minute of this series if I can help it.

Sorry, Mike, love ya but you’re dead wrong about the Stoll hit. Dirty and textbook headshot based on the NHL criteria. It’s amazing how the refs missed it… and was the lack of a call on Demers a “make up call?” 2 games at least, and that wouldn’t be enough if we’ve lost White for the playoffs.

You’re dead right about Liz’s National Anthem rendition. Neat to see it was televised. Doug, her bling was flashing hard on camera.

The SHarks seem to have lost their board play mojo in the last 5 or 6 games. That, imo, is what kept them in the W column in the second half. Let’s hope they pick it up!

Funny, the save on Clifford (I believe) I actually thought “man, Nabby would not have made that save.” But then I remembered the Dallas save against Brad Richards, and realized the big save wasn’t his problem.

His problem was the soft goal early in the game. The one that would make it 0-2 in a tight game, or 1-1 after long stretches of dominant play.

It’s too bad, because I actually thought Nabokov was a good goalie. Not great, but probably 10th or 12th best in the league, certainly good enough to win a Cup. It would have been nice to see that core group of guys (Marleau, Thornton, Nabokov) win it together, but those days are long gone…

A few cross-checking or interference penalties would have calmed everyone down. When the crappy refs decide to ignore blatant penalties on both sides the players (who have no regard for each others safety) will always take advantage. The result is usually a player hurt or hurting for the rest of the playoffs.
I love the NHL but it is a very silly league. It’s too bad the rest of the sporting work feels the same way.